Note: Italics are NOT flashbacks like they usually are. The events are happening at the same time.

Chapter 26: Make It Better

Haley walked up the stairs in Peyton's house. Peyton hadn't been to school for a week and everyone was worried about her. Haley couldn't imagine living without the person she loved. If Nathan wasn't around, she knew how heartbroken she'd be. Haley hoped to talk to Peyton a little and try to comfort her. Just to make her realize that things would work out in the end.

"Hey Peyton," she said slowly.

Peyton looked up blankly and gave a curt nod.

"I know this is probably a stupid question, but how are you doing?"

Peyton laughed bitterly. "Oh yeah I'm just great," she said sarcastically.

Haley nodded and sat on the edge of the bed. "Is there anything I can do," she asked gently. I know how hard it must be."

Peyton snapped. She was sick of everyone feeling bad for her. They didn't know what it was like, and they couldn't pretend that they did.

"Haley cut the crap ok. You don't know what it's like. You have Nathan and he's not going anywhere. So you don't know anything about how I feel."

"I'm sorry Peyton," Haley said a little shocked, "But it's not like my relationship with Nathan was smooth sailing."

"Whose fault is that?" Peyton yelled. "Both of you were cheating and knew it would be hard. But at least you have him. I have no one."

"Jake is coming back Peyton. You just have to know that it will get better."

"Fuck you Haley," Peyton said shrilly. "You cheat on Lucas and Nathan cheats on Brooke and everyone applauds because you two are in love. Well you know what, Jake and I had a clean slate, and we still get separated. So you're just a lucky. But I'll tell you one things karma's a bitch."

Haley jumped up seeing the anger in Peyton's eyes. "I'm sorry Peyton," she whispered not really knowing what else to say. Haley escaped down the stairs before Peyton could see her cry.

Peyton sighed. She knew she had been harsh, but she just needed to lash out on someone and Haley was the one who'd shown up. Peyton felt bad about what she'd done, but it wasn't as bad as she felt that Jake wasn't there.

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As Haley ran out the door she passed a figure that was walking in. Lucas tried to stop her and say hello but Haley looked so hysterical that it seemed futile to talk to her.

"What'd you do to Haley?" Lucas asked as he stood in the doorway to Peyton's room.

Peyton sighed. "Just lashed out on her about love."

Lucas sighed too imagining what Peyton had probably said. Basically because he had wanted to say it for so long before realizing he had been an asshole too.

"I wanted to check on you," he said simply.

"I'm fine," she replied sharply.

"Well that's good. Have you talked to him?"

Peyton motioned to the computer and Lucas saw that she had sent him 5 unanswered e-mails.

"That sucks," he said crossing his arms uncomfortable.

"Look Lucas, I know you're trying to be a good guy and thanks for getting Jake a lawyer, but we both know that you've never been anything but an ass to me so can you just go?"

Lucas looked at her a little hurt but just nodded. "Sorry Peyton," he mumbled.

Peyton lay back with a groan. She'd been hearing that way too much lately.

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Haley sprinted to Nathan's house and ran into his room. He was doing homework on his computer but turned when he heard someone breathing hard in his room.

"Haley," he said stepping up to give her a hug, "What are you doing here?"

"I just needed to see you. You love me right?"

"Of course," he said a little scared that she was asking.

"That's all that matters?"

"Yes, but why are you?"

Haley shook her head. "I just needed to know that. I feel so sick about this whole situation now. But we're in love and nothing else matters?"

"Yes we are," he said searching her face for a clue. "What's really bothering you?"

"I came from Peyton. She was kind of mean. Not that I blame her."

"Oh," Nathan frowned. "Do you want me to talk to her?"

"Yeah will you please? It would make me feel better."

"Anything for you," he said kissing her gently.

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Brooke groaned and stared at her huge mansion. It always felt so lonely. She sighed. Brooke felt so hopeless. She knew how much Peyton was hurting. Peyton had a huge fear of people she loved leaving her especially after her mom's death, and she probably felt like Jake was never coming back. Brooke fell into an armchair and buried her head into her hands sobbing. Her phone started ringing. She uncurled herself annoyed.

"Hello," she mumbled clearly to in the mood to talk.

"Hey Brooke it's Mouth, I won't keep you long," he said clearly picking up the no talking vibe," but I just wanted to see how you were. You were pretty upset today at school."

Brooke smiled a little even though Mouth couldn't see. "Yeah thanks Mouth. I'm jus worried about Peyton."

"I know we all are," he said softly.

'Yeah look I think I just want to curl up and take a nap, so I'll call you later or see you tomorrow."

"Sounds good. Feel better Brooke."

"Thanks. Bye Mouth."

Brooke flipped her cell shut and tossed it onto the couch. She closed her eyes and tried to sleep but she just couldn't. She needed to talk to someone, but who? She's probably break down in front of Peyton which would not be any help to her at all. Haley was probably doing homework or with Nathan grieving. She could talk to Mouth but he just didn't feel right. That left Lucas. Brooke sighed and got up. She went outside and drove her car over to his house. She walked in and saw Lucas slumped in a chair much like she had been in her own house. This made her smile a little. She flopped down on the couch and smiled at him.

"Luke can we talk?"

"Yeah you ok?" he asked sitting up.

"I just feel really bad about Peyton. She was devastated when her mom died, and now this. I don't know what to say to her."

Lucas saw the girl tearing up and he moved over to the couch to be closer to her. "I know Brooke. This sucks for everybody. Heck she through me out of her house."

"Really?" Brooke asked through her tears.

"Yeah. I mean I know I haven't been a great person, but she really dissed me."

"She's taking it out on other people," Brooke said with a sigh, "She always does."

Lucas started stroking her hair. "There's nothing you can do Brooke but be her friend. Pulling away won't help either of you. Just be there for her, even if you have no idea what to say.

Brooke looked into his blue eyes. "I don't know if I can do it."

"You have to be strong for her. Jake asked you too."

Brooke sighed. "I know, I just can't deal with it well."

"Go over there and tell Peyton you love her. That's all you have to say."

"Really?"

"Yes now go," he said lifting himself and her up off the couch.

Brooke leaned in to hug him "Thanks Luke. I'm really glad we got to be friends after well everything."

Lucas laughed. "I know now go and be her friend."

"Thanks," Brooke said giving him a kiss on his cheek.

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"Hey Peyton," Brooke said shyly.

Peyton looked up for a split second but then went back to examining her quilt.

Brooke sighed knowing this would be hard. "I just want you to know that I'm sorry I haven't been here earlier to talk to you. But I love you. I'm your friend and I'm always here for you."

Peyton looked up again but this time she smiled. "Thanks," she whispered.

Brooke nodded. "I should probably go I guess. Let you be."

Peyton nodded, but the smile still played over her face. "You're a good friend Brooke."

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Nathan came into his house from having just left Haley's. He walked into his room but stopped short when he saw a curly-headed blonde sitting primly on his bed.

"Peyton," he questioned surprised.

"I'm sorry to bother you Nate. But I already bitched Haley and Lucas out, and I know that Brooke really isn't up to talking to me yet. I just needed someone to talk to."

"Oh it's ok," he said sitting down on the chair at his desk.

"I just really miss him. And he hasn't called or e-mailed back. I know he's busy with Jenny, but I feel like he's ignoring me."

"Maybe it hurts him to talk to you. Like when Haley was with Lucas it hurt so much to just see her and that was before I even knew her feelings. You two are actually in love."

Peyton winced remembering what she had said to Haley earlier. "But doesn't he realize he's making it hard for me?"

"He probably thinks it's easier this way."

"It's not," Peyton started sobbing.

"I'm sorry Peyton," he said stepping up to hug her.

Seemingly miles away, Haley remembered she had left some stuff at Nathan's Crap, she thought. She stood up and left to go get it

As they hugged Peyton looked at Nathan and wished that it was Jake so much. She leaned in to him.

Haley opened the door and saw it was dark. Maybe Nathan wasn't home. Either way she'd get her stuff. She walked to his room.

Peyton kissed Nathan softly, not because of any attraction to him, but just because she needed the comfort. She wanted everything to be better.

Haley lightly opened the door a little and saw Nathan's lipped pressed to another girl. Haley swallowed hard feeling a pit in her stomach forming. Peyton.